Amnesty-cum-rehabscheme for Maoists

The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amnesty-cum-rehabilitation scheme for Maoists in the State aimed at bringing people who have been swayed by the Left extreme ideology back to the mainstream society. The scheme has been designed in such a manner it will weed out those who surrender merely for securing monetary benefits. An official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said the activists would be categorised into three groups for the purpose of fixing the benefits, depending on their activity and their positions in their organisations.

Top leaders, who come under the first category, will be eligible for ₹5 lakh each and those coming under categories two and three will be eligible for ₹3 lakh each when they surrender. The funds will be given in instalments.

A lump-sum amount will be given for pursuing education, marriage, and skill training. A sum of ₹15,000 will be given to those who want to pursue education, ₹25,000 for marriage, and ₹10,000 for skill training up to three months.

Those who surrender weapons will be eligible for a special rate. Those surrendering AK 47 will get ₹25,000. The government will consider including those surrendering in one of its housing schemes if they do not own a house.